Orthodontic device



April 25, 1967 c. E. Moss 3,315,359

ORTHODONTIC DEVICE Filed March l, 1965 INVENTOR. C//ffa/d E. M055 l, l I

/ 4 /t l ATTO KS.

United States Patent O 3,315,359 ORTHODONTIC DEVICE Clifford E. Moss, P.0. Box 432, Syracuse, Nebr. 68446 Filed Mar. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 436,250 8 Claims. (Cl. 32-14) This invention relates to orthodontic appliances and refers more particularly to an improved arch wire and bracket construction to be used in treating faulty occlusion.

The conventional method of treatment for correcting faulty occlusion involves, for most patients, the moving of at least one tooth, and usually more, into a more favorable position with respect to the other teeth. The procedures used, while many, all involve the principle of applying a directed force on the tooth or teeth to be moved. One of the basic components for applying the necessary force comprises an arch wire, which extends around the tooth arch (upper or lower), is connected `to the teeth to be moved and is so formed and held that it works either through its own inherent ilexural stress reactions or by application of tension or bending forces thereto, or both, to bring the selected teeth into proper relationship with the others.

There are, generally speaking, two schools of thought as to the type of arch wire to be used. One follows the concept that a strong stiff wire is the best since even when deflected only slightly a large lateral force results. The shifting of the teeth is thus accomplished in a relatively short time, although at some cost and pain to the patient. However, because of the short period of time frequent appointments for adjustment are necessary.

The second school of thought centers on so-called light, or much smaller diameter, wires. These light wires can be flexed or bent to a greater degree without a permanent set and as a result they'can be so correlated with the teeth as to exert an active force over a longer period of time. The force is less than that obtained with the same deflection in a so-called heavy or stiff wire; yet, it is applied over a greater period of time, thus lengthening the period of time between appointments for adjustment and lessening t-he discomfort to the patient.

One of the general and main objectives of the present invention is the provision of an arch wire and support structure therefor in which are combined the best features of the two schools set forth above. It is a special feature of my invention that it provides a means of obtaining relatively great forces over more extended periods of time than are achieved with the heavy wire, yet without causing undue discomfort on the part of the patient. to do this, I have devised an arch wire which is made up as a bundle of very fine diameter wires, each of which is capable of substantial resilient exure i.e. capable of substantial deflection without taking a permanent set. Through Emy particular construction, I have obtained an arch wire which is so constructed and coupled with the teeth that the wire constantly and over llong periods of time will act gently but firmly to level and rotate the maloccluded teeth to which it is applied. Another feature of the invention in this respect resides in the fact that the wire requires a minimum of effort for its installation and yet provides a maximum of comfort for the patient.

A further object of the invention is to provide an arch wire and anchor bracket construction in which the wire is formed as a bundle of small diameter wires which are so held and connected with the bracket that tension can be applied to the wire through different mediums such as, for example, a headgear, or internal built-in spring arrangement, without requiring any basic change in the structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means for connecting together a bundle of tine diameter Wires to form what is in essence a single wire of multiple strands `so that the bundle can be fabricated outside t-he mouth and consequently does not require crimping or bending to be performed inside the mouth. This is of particular importance in working with multiple strand wires, since under crimping and bending forces there is a tendency for the wire ends to broom out when an attempt is made to form sharp angles in the bundles near the ends and the broomed ends are quite difficult to handle. v

Other and further objects of the invention, together with the features of novelty appurtenant thereto will appear in the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals indicate like parts in the various views;

FIG. 1 is a bottom plan View of a typical upper tooth arch to which a preferred embodiment of the invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of same;

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary elevational view of an anchor' molar and bracket with the arch wire connected therewith;

FIG. 4 is a view taken from the right hand side of FIG. 3

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows, the molar not being shown;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a head gear designed for employment with my arch wire and bracket;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but of a modified arrangement; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sleeve and channel.

Referring to the drawing, and initially to the embodiment of the invention s-hown in FIGS. 1 through 6 inf elusive, reference numeral 10 indicates generally an upper arch having the back molars 11. As will be seen, these molars provide the end anchors for the arch wire subsequently to be described. The maloccluded teeth are shown for example at 12. Each of these has a band 13 to which the arch wire is secured by means of the usual or elastic threads. The brack-` brackets and ligature wires ets and ligature wires or elastic threads are conventional in construction and they are coupled with the arch wire of this invention in the same manner as with wires previously known; consequently no further description of the individual brackets and ligatures is necessary.

The a'rch wire is indicated at 15. It comprises a bundle of several wires, at least three, but preferably tive, which are made of good quality stainless steel and of tine diameter (less than 0.010 inch). I find that a diameter of 0.008 inch produces excellent results in a bundle of five wires.

In forming the bundle the wires are initially soldered lightly at their ends to hold them together and the ends are then bent at right angles to form end sections as at 15a. Each end section is inserted laterally into and through a cylindrical tube 16 through appropriate diametrically opposed holes formed in the tube. It will be noted that the wire end 15a is received through the tube 16 near one end thereof with the tube extending forwardly toward the bow of the arch wire. The end sections 15a of the wire are affixed to the tubes 16 by means of soldering.

The tubes 16 are connected to the molars 11 by means of substantially identical combined bracket and guide structures which are secured to molar band 17 around the molars 11. The bracket and guide structure in each case includes an upper sleeve 18 open at both ends and a lower outwardly open channel, of somewhat greater length, 19 paralleling the sleeve 18. These elements are soldered or otherwise firmly secured to a base sheet 20 which is in turn welded to the molar band. Y

It will be observed that the tubes 16 at the ends of the arch wire are slidably received in the respective sleeves 18. The portions of the wires continuing forwardly from the respective bands joining the main portion of the wire with the end sections a are received in the guide channel 19. The flexing of the wire around the tooth arch serves to urge such portions toward the base of the channel; in addition, any tendency of the wire to creep out of the channel is resisted by a ligature wire 19a tied around the protruding end of the channel and received in notches 19b cut into the channel side walls.

In the embodiment of FIGS. l through 6, inclusive, additional retractive force on the teeth is supplied by means of a headgear of the nature shown in FIG. 6., This headgear has thevadjustable elastic strap 21, to the ends of which are connected the opposite ends of a face bow 22 having the spaced legs 23. Each leg 23 has a tip portion 24- adapted to fit slidably within the forward facing end of the arch wire tube 16. A stop in the form of an annular collar 25 is located onthe tip sections 24; its purpose will later be described.

Located within each tube 16 is a coil compression spring 26, the spring being interposed between the end of face bow leg portion 24 and the section 15a of the'arch wire received through the tube 16. In order to retain the spring within the tube when the'facebow'is not in use, the spring is formed with a permanent bend along its axis prior to insertion in the tube. This deformation causes portions of the spring to frictionally engage the inside of the tube.

In assembling and installing the arch wire it is, of course, first formed in the manner described above with the bent end sections 15a and the tubes 16 secured thereto. This work is done entirely outside the patients mouth. The molar bands 17, along with the individual tooth bands 13, are applied to the teeth as required and the brackets 18, 19 as well as the tooth brackets 12 are secured in place.

To install the arch wire it is bent generally into the from of the final arch, inserted into the mouth and prior to engagement of the wire with the arch the tubes 16 are slipped into the sleeves 18 from the back. The arch wire is then worked up over the Vteeth 12 into the bracket 14 and the ligatures, including ligature 19a, or elastic threadsV engaged.

To apply tension to the wire 15, the headgear is used.

The band 21 is engaged around the back of the neckV and the legs 23 of the face bow are inserted in the mouth so that the tip or end portions 24 slip into the tubes 16 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. As the tip portions engage and compress the springs 26, the major wire length 15 is put in tension. `The strength of spring 26 in combination with the elastic tension of the neckband or strap, controls the tension set up in the wire.

It will be evident that the wire 15 thus transmits a moving force to the teeth 12 and that this force is ap plied only during the time that the face bow is worn. This force will continue until such time as the collar 25, which is of slightly greater outside diameter than the inside diameter of the stationary sleeve 18, engages the end of the sleeve.

From the foregoing it will be evident that I have provided an arch wire composed of a multiplicity of strands which can be fabricated entirely outside the mouth and which is easily interengaged with the teeth in the arch to be treated. The nature of the construction makes it possible to suply wires in standardized lengths, thus saving the dentist much labor and effort in fabricating them. The structure is especially suited for multiple larch wires and makes it possible to obtain all of the benefits of the latter with a minimum of effort and discomfort to the patient.

In the event that it is desired to eliminate the face bow or to supplement it with a continuous tension force acting on the arch wire while the face bow is not in use, the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 may be employed. Here the basic structure is much the same as in the preceding embodiment, the main bracket and guide structure comprising the fixed tube 118 and channel section 119. These are as in the preceding embodiment, firmly secured to the base element 120 which in turn is welded or otherwise affixed to the molar band 1117.

The arch wire 15 has the tubes 16 secured to its ends in the manner earlier described. The tubes 16 are slidable in the sleeves 118. It will be noted however, that rather than having an internal spring, the tube 16 is instead encircled by a compression spring interposed between the rearward end of sleeve 118 and the diametrically projecting wire portions adjacent the tube 16. When the arch wire 15 is in place, the spring `131i is under compression and thus acts to create a tension in the arch wire 15, which in turn is transmitted to the teeth to be straightened. i

The installation of the arch wire in the FIG. 7 embodiment is much the same as in the preceding embodiment. The springs 130 are sleeved over the tubes 16, and the tubes are then inserted from the rearward side into the sleeves 11S. In order to get the wire up over the tooth bracket 14 into position to be ligated, the springs can be compressed. Once in position, the compression on the spring will act to put the necessary tension in the arch wire.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from'the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In an orthodontic treatment apparatus for use on a dental arch having a pair of anchor teeth, the combination of a bracket adapted to be secured to each anchor tooth, each said bracket including a tubular -sleeve member open at both ends and oriented with its aXis directed generally along the arch,

. an arch wire adapted to extend along the arch with end portions thereof adjacent said sleeve members, said end portions bent substantially at right angles to the major length of the arch wire and overlying the respective'outermost ends of said sleeve members,

a slide member secured to and projecting laterally from each said end portion, said slide element slidably received in the adjacent sleeve member, and

thrust means operable to create tension in said arch wire through forces acting on said end portions.

2. In an orthodontic treatment apparatus as in claim 1, said thrust means comprising elements engageable with said slide members.

3. In an orthodontic treatment apparatus as in claim 1,

said thrust means comprising stressed, resiliently yieldable means interposed between said end portions and said sleeves.

4. In an orthodontic treatment apparatus as in claim 1,

said arch comprising a plurality of strands, said slide members serving to hold said strands together at said end portions.

5. In an orthodontic treatment apparatus for use on .a

dental arch having a pair of anchor teeth, the combination of a bracket adapted to be secured to each anchor tooth,

each said bracket including a tubular sleeve member open at both ends and oriented so that its axis will be directed generally along the direction of the arch when the apparatus is worn, and a channel member adjacent said sleeve member and parallel therewith,

an arch wire adapted to extend along the arch with end portions adjacent said sleeve members and with portions adjacent said end portions within said channels, said end portions bent substantially at right angles to the major length of the arch wire and overlying the respective outer ends of said sleeve members,

a slide member secured to and projecting laterally from each said end portion, said slide member slidably received in the adjacent sleeve member, and

thrust means operable to create tension in said arch wire through forces acting on said end portions.

6. The combination as in claim 5, wherein said slide members comprise tubular elements having diametrically opposed and aligned apertures therein, said end portions being received through said apertures.

7. The combination as in claim 6, wherein said thrust means include rod members insertable in the ends of said slide members and operable to apply thrust thereto.

8. The combination as in claim 5, including means connected with said channel member and operable in conjunction therewith to restrain said wire from leaving said channel member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,481,861 1/1924 Eaton 32-14 1,905,877 4/1933 Aderer 32--14 2,580,042 12/ 1951 Paus 32--14 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner. J. W. HINEY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN AN ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT APPARATUS FOR USE ON A DENTAL ARCH HAVING A PAIR OF ANCHOR TEETH, THE COMBINATION OF A BRACKET ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO EACH ANCHOR TOOTH, EACH SAID BRACKET INCLUDING A TUBULAR SLEEVE MEMBER OPEN AT BOTH ENDS AND ORIENTED WITH ITS AXIS DIRECTED GENERALLY ALONG THE ARCH, AN ARCH WIRE ADAPTED TO EXTEND ALONG THE ARCH WITH END PORTIONS THEREOF ADJACENT SAID SLEEVE MEMBERS, SAID END PORTIONS BENT SUBSTANTIALLY AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE MAJOR LENGTH OF THE ARCH WIRE AND OVERLYING THE RESPECTIVE OUTERMOST ENDS OF SAID SLEEVE MEMBERS, A SLIDE MEMBER SECURED TO AND PROJECTING LATERALLY FROM EACH SAID END PORTION, SAID SLIDE ELEMENT SLIDABLY RECEIVED IN THE ADJACENT SLEEVE MEMBER, AND THRUST MEANS OPERABLE TO CREATE TENSION IN SAID ARCH WIRE THROUGH FORCES ACTING ON SAID END PORTIONS. 